Blowout from the word ‘go' for Spurs

Manu Ginobili (20) of the San Antonio Spurs and JaVale McGee (34) of the Denver Nuggets battle for a loose ball during first-half NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Manu Ginobili (20) of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket as Timofey Mozgov (25) of the Denver Nuggets fouls him during firstl-half NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson of the San Antonio Spurs looks to shoot as Corey Brewer (13) and Kenneth Faried (35) of the Denver Nuggets defend during NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs dunks as Andre Iguodala of the Denver Nuggets defends during first-quarter NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs lays up the ball against Denver during NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Corey Brewer of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs during NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim before team introductions in preparation for the team's game against the Denver Nuggets in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs shoots after an offensive rebound during NBA action against Denver in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives and shoots as JaVale McGee (34) Kenneth Faried (35) and Ty Lawson (3) of the Denver Nuggets defend during NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

A Spurs Silver Dancer performs during a timeout as the Spurs take on the Denver Nuggets in NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs guard Nando De Colo drives as Kosta Koufos of the Denver Nuggets defends during fourth-quarter NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Denver Nuggets during fourth-quarter NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs knocks the ball away from the Nuggets' Andre Iguodala during NBA action in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. The Spurs won, 126-100. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the Spurs, right, shoots as Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets attempts to block his shot in the Alamodome on Nov. 17, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich watches his team in action against the Denver Nuggets in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. The Spurs won, 126-100. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

If there ever was a sign that Saturday was the Spurs' night, and that it certainly was not Denver's, it came as the final seconds of the first half were dwindling away.

The ball found its way to Tim Duncan in the corner, a place he wasn't supposed to be, the expiring clock forcing him to take a shot he seldom takes.

To the surprise of no one, especially no one on the Nuggets' bench, Duncan's prayer found nothing but net, sending the Spurs into the locker room with a 20-point lead and plenty of energy en route to a bounce-back, 126-100 victory at the AT&T Center.

“It was great to go into the locker room with a three like that,” guard Manu Ginobili said.

Duncan's first 3-pointer since the 2010 playoffs was one of a season-high 16 the Spurs buried in a resounding win that felt more than a little like catharsis.

Everything the Spurs tried — from a Duncan 3-pointer to a Tony Parker putback from his knees — seemed to work.

It was only the seventh time since 1986 that a Nuggets opponent has made at least 16 3-pointers.

“When the shots are falling,” said Danny Green, who was 3 for 5, “the game is easier.”

After blowing a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter of a 104-100 loss to New York two days earlier, the Spurs were not about to let another swollen advantage dissipate in the second half.

“Denver lost two games (in a row), so we didn't want to give them no excitement,” said small forward Stephen Jackson, who had nine points and nine rebounds in his first start for the injured Kawhi Leonard. “We wanted to step on their necks.”

Six players finished in double digits for the Spurs, who pushed their lead as high as 34 points, and the name atop that list was also the most heartening.

Manu Ginobili, after a month of listing and lagging and arguing with a nagging stiff back, rang up a season-best 20 points, made 7 of 10 field goals and buried 5 of 7 on 3-point tries.

“It was good to see Manu get his swag back,” Jackson said.

Ginobili isn't so sure about that, mostly because English is still his third language — and Jackson's version is his fourth.

“I'm still trying to understand what swag means,” Ginobili joked.

One example: Ginobili came twirling into the lane before halftime, pirouetting past Denver shot-blocker JaVale McGee to finish a soft floater.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said judging Ginobili's progress back from injury is a simple enough task.

Among the important statistics for Ginobili on Saturday: two turnovers, his fewest this season in a game in which he logged at least 20 minutes.

“I had a couple tough weeks where (the back) was bothering me,” Ginobili said. “Not only my body, my head, too. Now I think I'm getting over it.”

Ginobili hit three of his 3-pointers during the Spurs' 22-2 run that opened up a lead in the first half.

In the end, the Spurs registered their most lopsided victory of the season by handing the Nuggets their most lopsided loss.

“I think San Antonio would have beat any team tonight,” Denver coach George Karl said.

Against New York, Duncan had another 3-point look that could have cut the Spurs' deficit to two in the final minute, but missed. Now that Duncan is shooting 50 percent from long distance, Popovich is expecting him to lobby for more such looks.

“He still feels like I held him back his whole career,” Popovich said. “He thinks he's a point guard.”

Ginobili was glad to see Duncan knock down the long ball at the end of the half and enjoyed the momentum boost it provided.